However, both teams, especially the Golden Falcons, can thank the Falconer grounds grew for keeping the field in good shape to play the game.

Falconer started the game hot, but as the day got better so did the Dunkirk lineup and the Golden Falcons finished with a 13-6 victory.

“Our grounds crew here at Falconer is better than any place out there,” Falconer head coach Kayleigh Sieber stated. “I would put them out there against a major league baseball team. I showed up here at 7:15 this morning to go to work and they’re already out here on the field to get it ready for today. Big ups to Falconer and our administration and our custodial and maintenance staff. They really take care of our sports here and I’m super appreciative of them.”

Falconer jumped on Dunkirk early thanks to the top of the lineup with Emily Rhinehart, Hannah Melquist and Emily Zaranek each scoring and Mylie Zaranek driving in a run to take a 3-0 lead after the first.

OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms Dunkirk’s Chelsey Tramuto smacks a two-run double.

Then in the second inning, they struck again, this time with Angelina Fiasco reaching on a bunt single and stealing both bases before being knocked in by Rhinehart. Melquist’s single scored Rhinehart, Mylie Zaranek doubled and twin sister Emily Zaranek knocked in them both with a two-RBI double. Emily Zaranek reached third on the throw home and scored on a wild pitch to give Falconer an 8-0 lead after two.

“We really worked hard at practice about being able to be adjustable in counts and making in at-bat adjustments,” Sieber said.

Sieber added: “That’s exactly what we executed today. If you’re pulling, pulling, pulling you’ve got to be able to think about staying close and hitting that ball to the right side. Situational hitting and getting more complex in our baseball and softball IQ and that really paid off tonight.”

After two innings it looked like even though the game was being played that it might be a short one. Then the top of the third came around and the Marauders showed they were there to play a full seven.

Aaliyah Morales walked to start off the inning and before she could get settled in on the basepaths, Brooke Szymczak unleashed a ball to the fence for an RBI double to get Dunkirk on the board.

OBSERVER Photo by Christian Storms Dunkirk's Eva Colon-DeJesus makes a catch in center field during Friday’s Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West softball game at Falconer Central School.

Oliva Cole reached base after getting hit by a pitch and Szymczak was put out at the plate on a fielder’s choice that allowed Kassidy Donisi to reach base. Then with two outs, Chelsey Tramuto smoked a double into deep right field that scored both Cole and Donisi.

“We look for our older players, like Brooke up there, to get a big hit,” Dunkirk head coach Aldyn Carlson said about the team. “Aaliyah’s aggressive on the bases, then we have Eva (Colon-DeJesus) making plays in the outfield. When they need a hit they have their bats out there being aggressive.”

With newfound energy and only trailing 8-3, Dunkirk’s defense got through its first inning in the field without surrendering a run.

But when Falconer’s big hitters got back up to the plate they did more damage with Melquist scoring for the third and final time, the Zaraneks hit back-to-back doubles with Emily collecting two more RBIs and Katrina Schrantz singled and went around the bases while Nylah Sharpe scored after reaching via walk to make it 12-3.

Falconer (4-2, 2-1) scored its final run in the bottom of the fifth when Rhinehart singled and Mylie Zaranek smashed an RBI triple. Mylie Zaranek finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs, two doubles and a triple, Emily Zaranek finished 2 for 3 with two doubles and four RBIs, Melquist finished 2 for 4 with three runs and an RBI, Rhinehart ended 2 for 4 with three runs scored and Nazariah Neal doubled.

“We really have a powerhouse at the top of our lineup,” Sieber stated. “Just trying to get everyone on and getting flexible with things and putting some plays on. I talk a lot about the baserunning. I think there’s not a team out here that’s more aggressive on the bags than we are and that really translates. In high school softball that’s where you see it really makes a difference and separates us from other teams. We’re going to make that pressure happen and make errors happen and we’re going to be able to advance on blunders that happen in the field.”

Dunkirk (1-3, 1-2) made the most of its final trip to the plate, tacking on another two runs in the top of the seventh. Morales walked again to lead off the inning, Szymczak reached on a throwing error that scored Morales and Donisi hit a two-out RBI double to bring the score to 13-6.

“I’m very proud of their effort throughout the game,” Carlson added about her team. “We always talk to them that it’s a couple plays and if you take those away it’s a different turnout. They were still in the game hitting. Defensively they’ve got to make those changes, but they’re still learning.”

Morales walked twice and scored twice, while Tramuto finished with her two-run double, Szymczak scored once and had an RBI double and Donisi ended with the RBI double in the seventh that made the final score 13-6.